The Essential Guide to Being a Locum Pharmacist

Understanding Your Role as a Locum Pharmacist

Your responsibilities can be broadly categorised into three key areas: Clinical Governance, Dispensary Management, and Professional Integration.

1. Clinical Governance & Patient Safety

This is the non-negotiable foundation of your role. As the Responsible Pharmacist (RP), you hold the ultimate legal and professional accountability for the safe and effective running of the pharmacy during your shift.

• Clinical and Legal Prescription Checks: Your primary duty is to meticulously review every prescription. This involves:

- Clinical Appropriateness: Assessing the dose, frequency, and formulation. Checking for potential drug interactions, contraindications, and ensuring the medication is appropriate for the patient's condition, age, and existing medication profile.

- Legal Validity: Ensuring the prescription meets all legal requirements (e.g., correct signatures, dates, and controlled drug prescription requirements).

• Accuracy Checking: You are the final point of verification before a medicine reaches the patient. This involves a thorough accuracy check of the dispensed item against the prescription to ensure the correct drug, dose, and quantity has been selected.

• Patient Counselling and Advice: You are the most accessible healthcare professional for the public. You'll be expected to:

- Provide clear and concise counselling on how to use medications safely and effectively.

- Manage over-the-counter (OTC) consultations and recommend appropriate products for minor ailments.

- Offer public health advice and signpost patients to other healthcare providers (like GPs or A&E) when necessary.

- Support national and local advanced services (e.g., Pharmacy First, smoking cessation) as agreed in your booking.

2. Efficient Dispensary Management

A good locum doesn't just check prescriptions; they facilitate a smooth and efficient workflow for the entire team.

• Overseeing Workflow: You are responsible for managing the flow of prescriptions, prioritising urgent requests, and ensuring the dispensary operates efficiently to minimise patient waiting times.

• Team Leadership and Support: You must effectively lead and support the pharmacy team, which may include pharmacy technicians, dispensing assistants, and counter staff. This involves clear communication, delegating tasks where appropriate, and providing guidance when they have queries.

• Problem Solving: No two days are the same. You will inevitably face challenges such as stock shortages, angry or confused patients, technical issues with the Patient Medication Record (PMR) system, or complex clinical queries. Your ability to handle these situations calmly and professionally is crucial.

• Maintaining Records: You are responsible for ensuring all professional and legal records are accurately maintained. This includes:

- Making entries in the Controlled Drug (CD) register.

- Completing the Responsible Pharmacist log.

- Recording any clinical interventions or patient safety incidents according to company policy.

3. Professionalism and Integration

How you conduct yourself is just as important as your clinical skill. A locum who integrates well is one who gets re-booked.

• Punctuality and Preparation: Arrive 10-15 minutes early. This gives you time to log into the PMR system, locate the RP log and CD register, meet the team, and receive a handover from the pharmacy manager or previous pharmacist.

• Rapid Adaptability: You will be expected to quickly familiarise yourself with the pharmacy’s layout, PMR system, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Don't be afraid to ask questions early on, but demonstrate an ability to learn quickly and work independently.

• Clear Communication and Handover: The regular team needs to know what has happened during your shift. At the end of the day, leave clear, concise handover notes detailing any outstanding issues, orders that need chasing, patient queries to follow up on, or communications with local surgeries.

• Leaving the Pharmacy Tidy: It’s a simple but vital professional courtesy. Ensure the dispensary is left in a clean and organised state, with prescriptions filed and any necessary tasks completed. This shows respect for the permanent team and makes their job easier the next morning.

  
  

A Typical Day: What to Expect

Morning Routine

• Arrival: Introduce yourself, sign in as the Responsible Pharmacist, and get a quick brief on any ongoing issues.

• Morning Rush: This is often the busiest period, dealing with prescriptions from morning GP appointments. Focus on clinical checking and managing the dispensary queue.

  
  

Midday Activities

• Midday: The pace might slow slightly. This is a good time to complete administrative tasks like CD balance checks, deal with stock issues, or complete any required training modules.

  
  

Afternoon Duties

• Afternoon: The second rush often occurs as people collect prescriptions after work. Be prepared to manage the increased workload efficiently.

  
  

End of Shift Responsibilities

• End of Shift: Focus on finishing all outstanding prescriptions, cashing up (if required), completing all registers, and writing a detailed handover note before signing out as the RP.

  
  

Conclusion: Building a Rewarding Career

Ultimately, a successful locum pharmacist is a reliable, competent, and adaptable professional who prioritises patient safety above all else. By mastering these core duties and responsibilities, you can build a strong reputation and enjoy a rewarding and flexible career.

As you navigate your role, remember that the right tools can make a significant difference. Consider using resources that simplify your financial and administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on patient care.

In doing so, you can avoid year-end tax surprises and ensure a smoother professional journey.